Anne Molloy is another Local Lidl hero

The deputy head teacher at St Paul Primary School in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, she has gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for her pupils and their families in times of need.

Mum-of-one Anne has made a huge impact on one family in particular – the family of seven-year-old Finn Gillen who sadly died from cancer.

The 56-year-old said: “As a school we have gone through difficult times. Finn’s sister was in my Primary 7 class and we tried to help in any way we could.

“When little Finn was in hospital, we went to visit him, to bring him the cards and things the children in his class had made for him.

“On the good days when he was able to come into school we facilitated that. It was important to give him that normality.”

Anne, 56, also dressed up as a minion to visit the youngster in hospital.

Anne recalled: “Finn really liked minions. Myself and the principal dressed as minions and he was delighted. He didn’t know it was us.”

Anne, who also works with the scouts and the local parish council, is still in touch with Finn’s family and the parish priest commissioned a statue for the school’s memorial garden in memory, sadly, not only for Finn but of another pupil, Gina McCusker who passed away on her 12th birthday.

“Gina also had cancer,” recalls Anne.

“She never got the length of postprimary. The garden remembers them both and we had a service recently when the parents came.

“It’s been a difficult time, for the school and the children too. They need a lot of support. “We have a music therapist who comes into the school, who’s like a counsellor that the children can engage with. It helps very much.”